Conversation Cards - Let's talk - WOW! REALLY?

Surprise is a highly effective tool in studing a foreign language because it activates various cognitive and emotional processes that support learning. When students are surprised, their brains respond more intensely, which increases focus and helps them retain new information more effectively. The element of surprise can also evoke positive emotions, such as joy or excitement, which boosts motivation to learn and enhances engagement in the learning process.

In speaking practice, surprising elements like unexpected questions, word games, or new topics require students to react quickly and think flexibly. This forces them to use the language in a more natural way, rather than just reciting memorized phrases. As a result, they become more confident in spontaneous conversations and develop the ability to improvise, which is key in real-life communication in a foreign language.

With this in mind, we introduce our triptych: Wow! Really?, Gee! Honestly?, and Oh! Seriously?, which includes 48 cards per set. On each card, you’ll find a surprising fact and follow-up questions to delve deeper into the topic.

Example questions:

1)      90% of the world’s botox is produced by a single Irish company. Why do people undergo plastic surgeries? In what circumstances would you consider it for yourself?

2)      You can buy a perfume that smells like a fresh box of Pizza Hut pizza. In what circumstances would you consider using this perfume? What other unusual-smelling perfume would you like to check out?

3)      There is a Japanese service that allows you to employ a handsome man to come to your office and watch sad videos with you. When you cry, the man has to wipe your tears for you. What do you think about it? Do you enjoy watching sad videos?

Author: Ewa Torebko